Flexible-shaft connection



J. ZUBATY FLEXIBLE SHAFT CONNECTION Filed Feb. 14, 1927 I III I II A Patented Aug. 7, 1928. j

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH ZUBATY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO A O SPARK PLUG COMPANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN. I

FLEXIBLE-SHAFT oonnncrron'.

My invention relates to improved means for assembling and holding the flexible driving member in driving engagement with the speedometer head.

a It has for an object the construction of the parts in such a manner that it is impossible to secure the flexible tubing to the speedometer head unless the tip on the flexible shaft is in proper driving engagement it with the rotor shaft of the speedometer.

Another object is to eliminate the stresses usually laced on. the speedometer frame when tightening the means for holding the flexible tubing in the driving position. This in is accomplished by locating the fastening means in the speedometer casing insteadof in theframe.

A further, feature consists in so designing the clamping member that it will be held on the flexible tubing at all times, thus eliminating the possibility of its being assembled wrongly or of its being lost during shipment.

Other advantages will be disclosed in the specification and accompanying drawing, in

2% which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a speedometer head, showing my improved method of attaching the flexible tubing thereto. 1

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view Figure 2.

' The numeral indicates a speedometer casing within which is held a frame 12. Journalled in this frame is a rotor shaft 14 having squared end 16 around which fits a ti 18 on the end of the flexible driving sha 2Q This shaft rotates within the usual flexibletubing 22 to the upper end of whic is secured a collar 24 having a flange 26. ;A clamping member 28 fits around the col- 'lar 24:. A bolt 32 having a head 34 is secured in the casing 10 by being staked or upset as at 36. The shank of the bolt passes through an aperture in the clamping plate, and upon it is threaded the nut 30. By tightenin the nut the flange is clamped between t e member 28 and the casing.

Ordinarily the flexible tubing is attached directly to the speedometer head by some taken on line 3--3 of means held in theframe. This is undesirable 'because any strain placed on the tubing will I be transmitted to the frame and is apt to I; distort it sufficiently to cause it to register .the speedometer, and in my preferred emh threads of the nut to engage those ofthe inaccurately. By securing the fastening means 1n the casing I thereby eliminate the possibility of transmittin such strains to the speedometer frame, as tiey will be carried directly from the flexible tubing through the cas ng tothe instrument board, to which the caslng-is usually secured.

It is usually considered desirable to lead the flexible tubingaway from the front of bodiment Ihave shown a curved stamping 28 held against one side of the flexible tubmg 22 by split rings 40 and 42 as shown in pending application Serial, No. 120,239 filed July 2, 1926. Injury to the drive by sharp bends or kinks is thus avoided. The clam 1ng member 28 is slipped over the flexib e tubing before the stamping 38 is secured in place, and is held loosely between the flange 26 and the split ring 40. B being held on the tubing there is no possi ility of its being installed upside down or of its being mislaid or lost.

- Upon assembling the flexible shaft and tubing to the speedometer head it is very essential that the tip 18 should be turned to such a position that it will register properly with the squared end 16 of the rotor shaft so that it may be slipped up in proper engagement as shown. Should the nut 30 be screwed onto the bolt 32 before the tip 18 and the squared end 16 are properly engaged, the rotor shaft 14 might be pushed u and the speedometer mechanism injure To prevent this, I have provided the nut 30 with a counterbore 44. Should the tip not be in proper engagement with the squared end of the rotor shaft, the clamping member 28 would not be up far enough to permit the bolt 32. It will therefore be obviousthat it is impossible to assemble the tubing to the casing unless-the tip and the rotor shaft are in driving engagement.

It is'thought from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawing that the construction and operation of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that various changes in size, shape, and proportion and details of construction may e made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A speedometer drive connection com- 110 prismg, in .combination,

prising, in combination, a speedometer casmg, speedometer mechanism within the eas- I a bolt secured in saidcasing, a flexible a flexible shaft within said tube, a I clamping-member encircling a nut engaging said bolt and bearing ainst said clamping member, said nut oounterbored to revent engagement the threads on the is in pro er driving relation with respect to the spec ometer mechanism.-

A speedometer drive connection .com- 'prising, 1n combinatiomfa speedometer casmg, speedometer mechanism within the cas- 16 ing, a flexible driving member a clamping member adapted to hold said driving mem beriin driving engagement -'with said eed- 'ometer mechanism, a bolt secured to sai casing, and a nut threaded] engaged with said 3 29 bot for securing said camping member to thecasmg.

3. A speedometer drive connection commg speedometer mechanism inclu a rotdr sha t within said casmg, afiexible said tube, and be said casing, an

It until the flexible shaft a speedometer cas- 'on said-flexible shaft adapted to en age said rotor shaft in driving relation, a ho t secured to said speedometer casing, a clamping memr for holdin said flexible tube against a nut engagihg said bolt for securing the clamping member to the casing, said nut being counter-bored to prevent engagement with said 'bolt until said means, 1s in proper driving engagementwith said rotor sha I 4. A speedometerdrive connection comprising, in combination, a speedometer casing, speedometer mechanism within saidcasing, a flexible driving shaft, flexible tubing encasing the driving shaft, a collar secured to 1 the end of said flexible tubing, a flange on said collar, a split ring encircling said 001- lar, and a clamping member held on said flexible tubin between the flange and the split ring an adapted to clamp said flange against said casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. JOSEPH ZUBATY. 

